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Interactive Bible Study

Gospel of John Part 2—(Chapter 12-21)

Abiding in the True Vine…One with Him

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Summary:

Abiding in the True Vine….One with Him

“Abide in Me, … the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine…..” John 15:5

In this study you will see how you can personally share in the great intimacy the disciples

had with the Lord as He drew aside from the world to instruct His own.

Newcomers’ Homework

Lesson One—Overview

Day One through Five Read through the Book of John in one sitting without interruption Read the Book of John chapter by chapter again

Note the main event or teaching of each chapter Record the main teaching of each chapter on the “John Chapter Themes” chart on

page 28 Watch for any signs or miracles that Jesus performs Record these signs/miracles on the “John Chapter Themes” chart on page 28

Record these signs under the chapter in which the sign occurred Record the author’s purpose of writing this book on the “John Chapter Themes” chart

on page 28

Old-Timers’ Homework

Lesson One—Overview

Day One through Five You have already completed the “John Chapter Themes” chart in part 1

Spend this week reading through John again Look at the portrait of Jesus Christ as etched for us in John’s Gospel

The goal is to be able to mentally walk through the Gospel of John showing how Jesus is portrayed in each chapter. List on the chart on page 2

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THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PORTRAYED IN JOHN

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

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Lesson Two—Chapter Twelve

Day One Day Two & Day Three Read John chapter 12 Mark any key words in a distinctive way Ask the who, what, where, why, when, & how questions

Take time to meditate on the word by observing the chapter carefully

Day Four John chapter 12 opens, as you know, with an account of Jesus’ time in Bethany with

Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.

Read the other Gospel accounts that are listed below & list any additional insight you glean from these passages

Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11; Luke 10:38-42

Write out any questions that come to mind Some Bibles cross-reference John 12:1-8 and the verses which you just looked up in

Matthew & Mark with Luke 7:37-39. Do you think this is the same incident? Why? How can you apply what you have learned to your life? What do you learn about Mary & Martha?

Day Five Read John 12:32 What is Jesus referring to when He talks about being lifted up?

How do you know your answer is right? Read John 12:24-26 & compare it with Matthew 10:34-39: 16:24-28; Mark 8:34-38;

Luke 9:18-26 What do you learn from these passages? Can you apply them to your life in any way? How? Or why not?

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Lesson Three—Chapter Twelve

Day One through Day Three God reveals Jesus as The Messiah by recording 333 Old Testament prophecies

concerning The Messiah so that no one who was honestly seeking the truth would

miss knowing who Messiah was! Read the following Scriptures: Luke 4:16-21 with Isaiah 61:1-2; John 5:39-40; Luke 18:31; Matthew 26:55-56; Luke

24:25-27; Luke 24:44-45 Record the essence of what Jesus said

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Day Four & Five You will be looking at some key prophecies regarding the Messiah’s first coming

Read the following references & record what was foretold and how it was fulfilled Old/New Testament Foretold Fulfilled

Scripture

Micah 5:2/Luke 2:4-7

Hosea 11:1/Matthew 2:13-15

Zechariah 9:9/John 12:14-15

Zechariah 11:12-13/ Matthew 26:15; 27:3-10

Zechariah 13:7/ Matthew 26:31

Isaiah 53:7/

Matthew 26:59-63

Isaiah 53:12 / Luke 22:37

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Old/New Testament Foretold Fulfilled Scripture

Psalm 22:1/Matthew 27:46

Psalm 22:6-8/ Matthew 27:41, 43

Psalm 22:14-15/John 19:28

Psalm 22:18/John 19:23-24

Psalm 34:20/John 19:31-37 (Look at Exodus 12:43-46)

Zechariah 12:10/John 19:37

Psalm 16:9-10/John 20

Isaiah 8:14; Psalm 118:22/ 1 Peter 2:6-8

Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 & note the phrase “according to the Scriptures”

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Lesson Four—Chapter Thirteen

Day One & Two Read John 13 Ask the 5 W’s and an H questions? (Who, What, When, Where, Why, & How) Observe everything you can while reading John 13

Make any notes that are important to you

Day Three Do a character study on Judas by looking up every reference to Judas (son of

perdition) There are some gripping insights & warnings that can be gleaned from his life

Remember to use a concordance

Day Four & Five Write an outline, devotional, poem, or song for one truth or insight that you gleaned

from John 13

Include the following: An explanation of the Scripture as far as what it is saying and what it means, an

illustration of this truth and an exhortation for the reader or the student to apply this

truth

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Lesson Five—Chapter Fourteen

Day One & Two Read John 14 and ask the 5 W’s & H questions? (Who, What, When, Where, Why, &

How)

Observe everything you can while reading John 14 Make any notes that are important to you while paying particular attention to good

doctrines (teaching) and evil doctrines (teaching)

Day Three From observation alone, list what you learn from John 14 about the following

subjects: The Son, The Father, The Holy Spirit, the disciples, belief, prayer, obedience/love,

commands, promises,

Day Four & Five What does our Lord mean when He says that we will do “greater works than these”?

(John 14:12)

Write out any personal applications that you have gleaned from your study of John 14

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Lesson Six—Chapter Fifteen

Day One & Two This chapter contains the root of all truly successful Christian living Read John 15 and ask the 5 W’s & H questions? (Who, What, When, Where, Why, &

How)

Mark any key words that you might have missed

Day Three John 15 contains an allegory ( An allegory is a description of one thing under the

image of another) Spiritual principles are discerned not by “the play of the imagination, but by the

rightful application of the doctrines of Scripture.”

What part of John 15 is an allegory? What is this allegory about? What is it really describing?

Remember, in an allegory one thing pictures another Read the allegory in John 15 List what each thing in the allegory pictures

Who is the vinedresser (husbandman, KJV)? List only what you can observe from John 15 At this point in interpreting this passage, do not record anything but what the

passage clearly states In this allegory, note the repeated use of the word “abide”

List everything you observe in this passage about “abiding” Remember: It is very important to keep the 5 Ws and an H questions before you while

interpreting

Who is speaking? To whom is He speaking?

About what is He speaking? When does this teaching take place? What has preceded this discourse?

In the light of all that is going on and in the light of the surrounding Scriptures, why do you think Jesus is using this allegory?

List in outline form just exactly what Jesus is teaching His disciples about branches

& abiding

Day Four When people read John 15:1-8, they immediately want to know what verse 6 means.

If the branches represent Christians, can they be thrown away and burned? Does verse 6 mean I can lose my salvation and go to hell?

Is God saying He casts Christians into hell?

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Day Four Continued

Follow carefully as we go through the process of seeking the interpretation of John 15:6

If you disagree somewhere along the line, that’s fine; just don’t quit there!! Finish the

process of reasoning so that you can learn how to do accurate interpretation. To understand John 15:1-8, we must consider the culture and customs of the times

in which it was written; therefore, we must learn what we can about vines You may use the Bible, Bible dictionaries & handbooks, books on manners and

customs of Bible lands, and/or commentaries to learn about the culture and customs

at the time John was written Read Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:8-16; Ezekiel 15:1-5

List what you learn about vines, vineyards, what God is saying to His people, and the wood (branch) of the vine being burned

Day Five Compile all that you have learned from your studies this week and write out your

interpretation of John 15:1-8 according to the following format: Explain John 15:1-8, verse by verse

Note any pertinent insights from your study of vines and any pertinent cross-references

Explain what the text is saying rather than parroting it back

When you draw conclusions, back them up by the context surrounding John 15, your cross-references, and your manners and customs studies

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Lesson Seven—Chapter Fifteen Day One

Read John 15 again Note where Jesus explains the new level of intimacy that He is going to have with the

eleven who have followed Him so faithfully List everything you learn about this intimate relationship What is the basis of this intimacy?

How is it manifested? What are the consequences of having such an intimate relationship with Jesus

Christ?

In John 15 Jesus refers to His disciples as friends for the first time Read 2 Chronicles 20:7 & Isaiah 41:8

Who was called the friend of God? Read Genesis 18:17-33 How was the friendship manifested?

How does this compare with what you see in John 15 as Jesus tells His disciples that He is no longer going to call them slaves/servants but friends?

Day Two Read John 13:1-15:8 What is it that makes intimacy with God possible? Be as specific as you can

Is intimacy with God the legacy of every child of God or does it belong to a select few?

Day Three According to John 15, what is the condition or mark of being a friend of Jesus

Christ? In John 15 what relationship does love have to obedience? Friendship brings a strong identification with one another

According to John 15, what does an intimate friendship with Jesus Christ bring into the life of a child of God? Why?

Often when persecution or difficulties come because of the gospel, we have a tendency to do one of two things:

We either wonder what we are doing wrong or we draw back

Look up the following Scriptures and note what you learn from them that coincides with John 15 regarding the world’s attitude toward believers

Note what causes the persecution and what the result of the persecution will be or

how it is responded to Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 4:12-19; 2 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 5:40-41; Luke 6:26

Examine your life in the light of what you have learned from this section of John 15 and record what the Lord shows you

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Day Four & Five Using a concordance, look up the word disciple/disciples What do you learn about being a disciple?

What are the qualifications of a disciple? Are there true & false disciples? What relationship do you think discipleship has to salvation?

List the ways you would or would not qualify as a disciple

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Lesson Eight—Chapter Sixteen Day One through Day Three Read John 16 Mark any key words that you may have missed in a distinctive way

Make observations by asking the 5s & H questions? (who, what, when, where, why, & how)

Day Four Read John 14-16 Record everything you learn about the Holy Spirit Remember: Write the chapter & verse next to each truth you find about the Holy

Spirit Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 List what you learn regarding the work of the Holy Spirit

How does this passage compare with what you learned in John? Record any other truths that you have learned about the Holy Spirit from the Gospel

of John Remember: Write the chapter & verse next to each truth you find about the Holy

Spirit in the Gospel of John

Day Five Look up answers to questions of interpretation you may have from John 16 by using

commentaries

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Lesson Nine—Chapter Seventeen

Day One & Two Read John 17 Mark any key words you may have missed in a distinctive way

Make observations by asking the 5s & H questions? (who, what, when, where, why, & how)

Day Three Answer the following questions, being sure that you note the verse or verses in which

you find the answers For whom is this prayer prayed?

What do you learn about Christ in John 17? What do you learn about Christians?

In His prayer for us, for what did Christ specifically ask? Day Four

Look for any answers to interpretation questions

Day Five

Either write a short devotional, a poem, or outline showing the truths found in John

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In whatever avenue you choose, be sure you show how the truths of this chapter relate to us today

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Lesson Ten—Chapters Eighteen and Nineteen Day One Read John 18:1-19:16

Mark any key words that you may have missed in a distinctive way have missed Make observations by asking the 5s & H questions? (who, what, when, where, why, &

how)

Day Two Through Five We will get an overview of the final events which led to the crucifixion of the Lamb of

God for the sins of the world—for our sins, for your sins Read the following Scriptures while noting your observations about each part of the

events that took place during Jesus’ last days on earth Ask the 5Ws & H questions: What is happening? Where is it happening? When is it

happening? Why is it happening? How is it happening? Who is it happening to?

The Arrest Beginning the Jewish Trial John 18:1-12 Matthew 26:30-56 Mark 14:26-50 Luke 22:47-54

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Preliminary Examination Before Annas John 18:12-14, 19-24

Informal Examination Before Caiaphas

John 18:15-18, 24-27 Matthew 26:57-75

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Trial Before the Sanhedrin Matthew 27:1-10 Mark 15:1 Luke 22:66-71

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The Roman Trial Since Jerusalem was under Roman rule, the Jews could not put someone to death without a trial before a Roman governor. For this reason, Jesus was bound and sent to Pontius Pilate. First Phase of Roman Trial—Before Pilate

John 18:28-38 Matthew 27:2, 11-14 Mark 15:1-5 Luke 23:1-5

The Second Phase---Before Herod Luke 23:6-12

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The Third Phase—Before Pilate John 18:39-19:16 Matthew 27:15-31 Mark 15:6-20 Luke 23:13-25

Optional: Locate a Jerusalem map as it was in the time of our Lord Jesus Christ. As

you read about each event, draw a line from the place where the event occurs to the next

place that Jesus goes. This will give you a visual account of the events that are covered in the Scriptures.

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Lesson Eleven—Chapter Nineteen

Day One Through Three Read John 19:17-42

Mark any key words that you may have missed in a distinctive way Make observations by asking the 5W’s & H questions? (who, what, when, where, why,

& how)

Day Four We will get an overview of the final events of the Lamb of God for the sins of the

world—for our sins, for your sins

Read the following Scriptures while noting your observations about each part of the events that took place during Jesus’ last days on earth

Ask the 5Ws & H questions: What is happening? Where is it happening? When is it happening? Why is it happening? How is it happening? Who is it happening to?

The Crucifixion John 19:17-37 Matthew 27:32-56 Mark 15:21-41 Luke 23:26-49

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The Burial John 19:38-42 Matthew 27:57-61 Mark 15:42-47 Luke 23:50-56

Review all you have learned this week. As you go over it, event by event, make each event a matter of worship. Meditate on what happened; then, turn that meditation into praise and thanksgiving and commitment.

Day Five

Psalm 22, written by David approximately 1,000 years before Christ, describes the agonies one endures during crucifixion

Read Psalm 22

Note what happens to the body during crucifixion Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12

List everything you learn about Jesus Christ, man, and what His death accomplished for man

As you read Isaiah 52:13-53:12, substitute your name each time you come to the

pronouns “us” or “our” After you get done, list what you have learned for your own life?

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What I Learned From Isaiah 52-53 About Jesus Christ Man What Jesus’ Death Accomplished for Man

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Lesson Twelve—Chapter Twenty

Day One & Day Two Read John 20 Mark any key words that you may have missed in a distinctive way

Make observations by asking the 5W’s & H questions? (who, what, when, where, why, & how)

Note where the chapter opens and closes geographically

Note the main characters and events Watch for any indication of time sequence

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Day Three Read Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John & 21 for the accounts of our Lord’s

resurrection and post-resurrection appearances

Record the order of events in the chart below

The Gospel Records of our Lord’s Resurrection and Post-Resurrection Appearances

Matthew 28 Mark 16

Luke 24 John 21

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Day Four

Read the following Scriptures Record any insights you have 1 Corinthians 15:1-32; Mark 8:31; 9:31-32; Matthew 16:21; John 2:18-22; Romans

4: 22-25; Romans 6:4-5; Colossians 2:12; John 11:25; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:21; Matthew 22:23-32

Answer the following questions by listing your main points or by writing out your main points in complete sentences

Record the Scripture reference that backs up your answer

According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, what are the main points of the gospel that Paul preached?

How does the doctrine of the resurrection affect our message? Why?

Why is the resurrection an important doctrine in the Christian faith?

What does Christ’s resurrection have to do with a Christian? To put it another

way, what did Christ’s resurrection accomplish for you and how?

What will Christians be like in the resurrection?

Day Five Below are some theories man have used to explain away the resurrection. Read them, and under each list or write out in sentence form how you would handle such a statement if you were confronted with it.

Christ really did not die. He swooned and was revived in the tomb. Christ was not really raised from the dead. The disciples were either hallucinating or

having visions.

Jesus Christ did not really rise from the dead. The disciples simply stole the body to make it seem like He did.

Christ was not really raised from the dead. The body of Christ was stolen either by

the soldiers or the Jews.

He has risen!! He has risen indeed!!

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Lesson Thirteen—Chapter Twenty-One

Day One & Two Read John 21 Mark any key words that you may have missed in a distinctive way

Make observations by asking the 5W’s & H questions? (who, what, when, where, why, & how)

Day Three How does this chapter fit in with all that John has been saying?

Write out what purpose you think it serves If you were writing this Gospel, would you include chapter 21? Why?

Fill in the following chart, looking up the English transliteration of the word for “love” each time that it is used in chapter 21 (you will find the English transliteration in a Bible concordance or Bible dictionary) It is the second word given after the number

Place the English transliteration in parentheses Write its definition and verse number

Jesus’ Question to Peter Peter’s Answer Lord’s Admonition

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Day Four Compare Peter’s response to the Lord in the setting of John 18 with that in John 21 Write out what you see

Day Five In light of all that the Spirit of God has revealed to you in your study of John 21,

write out your prayer to the Lord, telling Him what you want Him to do in your life as

a result of what you have learned

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John Chapter Themes Background Book Theme Ministry Signs Portrayals

To & of Locations Miracles Jesus Witnesses Events

Author

Recipients

Purpose

Historical

Key Words

Prologue

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

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